Summer League 2018

[Raze]

I'm not a Knicks fan but I think Knox was a solid addition.

In regard to Ntilikina, I'm hoping Okobo will be the better player.

I was really bored last night and watched the replay of Knicks game. Gotta say I'm still unimpressed with Knox. I highly question his in-game vertical and his ability to finish in traffic. Good form on his 3 though. The guy's game is a spitting image of Sam Perkins.

Ntilikina still has work to do on his shot, but looks good just about everywhere else. His court vision has gotten better.

Mitchell Robinson might be a steal. I realize he's got a way to go, but he also hasn't played in a year. If he can keep his head on straight he might turn into something. There was almost no film on him pre draft, but I was impressed with what I saw last night.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I was really bored last night and watched the replay of Knicks game. Gotta say I'm still unimpressed with Knox. I highly question his in-game vertical and his ability to finish in traffic. Good form on his 3 though. The guy's game is a spitting image of Sam Perkins.

His ability to finish strong in traffic is what stood out most to me. He was two-hand dunking all over the place in the first game, and this is from the second game...

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[Raze]

His ability to finish strong in traffic is what stood out most to me. He was two-hand dunking all over the place in the first game, and this is from the second game...

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Maybe I have some kind of visual bias, because that highlight doesn't do anything for me. Slow and unathletic just tends to turn me off. I'll admit I was wrong about Paul Pierce, so I could be wrong about Kevin Knox. I just don't believe his weak 36 inch vertical is going to take him very far against real NBA Centers.

Oh and we'll see who he really is when the stain of being booed wears off. He's DEFINITELY trying to prove the jeerers wrong.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Maybe I have some kind of visual bias, because that highlight doesn't do anything for me. Slow and unathletic just tends to turn me off. I'll admit I was wrong about Paul Pierce, so I could be wrong about Kevin Knox. I just don't believe his weak 36 inch vertical is going to take him very far against real NBA Centers.

I agree. He got a stuff because of poor defense, but he really looked heavy footed.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Maybe I have some kind of visual bias, because that highlight doesn't do anything for me. Slow and unathletic just tends to turn me off. I'll admit I was wrong about Paul Pierce, so I could be wrong about Kevin Knox. I just don't believe his weak 36 inch vertical is going to take him very far against real NBA Centers.

Oh and we'll see who he really is when the stain of being booed wears off. He's DEFINITELY trying to prove the jeerers wrong.

FWIW, I was at the Knicks/Hawks game and Knox's surprising athleticism was the big takeaway from the game. He was straight up electric.

He broke away for fast breaks constantly, exploded to the rim for several big finishes, and was a standout all game long. Looked quick and explosive in person. They even put him on Trae Young at points.

 

[Mainstreet]

I was really bored last night and watched the replay of Knicks game. Gotta say I'm still unimpressed with Knox. I highly question his in-game vertical and his ability to finish in traffic. Good form on his 3 though. The guy's game is a spitting image of Sam Perkins.

Ntilikina still has work to do on his shot, but looks good just about everywhere else. His court vision has gotten better.

Mitchell Robinson might be a steal. I realize he's got a way to go, but he also hasn't played in a year. If he can keep his head on straight he might turn into something. There was almost no film on him pre draft, but I was impressed with what I saw last night.

I need to watch more of Knox. When I watched him in college, he reminded me a bit of Tatum. I haven't seen him play in a full summer league game yet.

I saw a bit of Mitchell Robinson and indeed he looks good early.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

This is probably the coolest summer league clip I’ve ever seen

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Man jjj went up SOFT with that. He was afraid to challenge them. That’s a lot of length.

 

[Mainstreet]

Man jjj went up SOFT with that. He was afraid to challenge them. That’s a lot of length.

And the Suns will be facing that length this evening against the Magic. Isaac and Bamba should pose a significant challenge for the Suns frontline with Jackson likely not playing.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I honestly wouldn’t be able to tell the difference, they sound nearly the same to me.

They are nothing alike. That’s essentially saying any accent sounds like they’re from New York.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

And the Suns will be facing that length this evening against the Magic. Isaac and Bamba should pose a significant challenge for the Suns frontline with Jackson likely not playing.

Agreed. Will be an interesting test for Ayton. He should be able to bully them with strength, but that length might bother him.

 

[Mainstreet]

Agreed. Will be an interesting test for Ayton. He should be able to bully them with strength, but that length might bother him.

I don't think Bender is going to be able to handle that front line. I put up a game thread to discuss further.

 

[Raze]

FWIW, I was at the Knicks/Hawks game and Knox's surprising athleticism was the big takeaway from the game. He was straight up electric.

He broke away for fast breaks constantly, exploded to the rim for several big finishes, and was a standout all game long. Looked quick and explosive in person. They even put him on Trae Young at points.

Alright CPN, I know you didn't issue it as a challenge, but I went ahead and took it as one anyway. During lunch I watched the Knicks/Hawks game. Here are my takeaways:

• First of all, you were right, Knox was indeed electric. He was all over the court. His "dive pass" was outstanding. I don't know what to make of this though, because in the litany of Kentucky games I snored through I never saw him play with THAT much energy. I also didn't see that energy in the following SL games. If he can maintain this much enthusiasm he'll be very good. However, that was my knock on him pre-draft; he doesn't play with enthusiasm. Very good handles, great at drawing contact, and good form on his shot. Easily the best game I've seen him play. (Although he's still a bit indifferent on D)
• However, Kevin looks absolutely AWFUL in the low post. He had a one on one post up against Trae Young and embarrassed himself. I saw him in the post again later and he proved he doesn't belong down there. They should save him further ridicule and never let him post up again.
• There's a strong chance Mitchell Robinson is going to make GMs regret on passing on him. He's nowhere near polished, but man the foundation is there. He has very good timing on his blocks. Seems like he carries a ton of passion which I always love to see.
• Trae Young is a modern day Nash, with twitch. The kid loves to pass. He's already a far better passer than Steph. He's going to live up to the billing that he'll be dynamic on Offense. He might even lead the league in assists this year. Now, if you can just surround him with 4 strong dudes who can play D, because he is going to get knocked around. He's a strong candidate for best player not playing due to injuries (KJ).

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Alright CPN, I know you didn't issue it as a challenge, but I went ahead and took it as one anyway. During lunch I watched the Knicks/Hawks game. Here are my takeaways:

• First of all, you were right, Knox was indeed electric. He was all over the court. His "dive pass" was outstanding. I don't know what to make of this though, because in the litany of Kentucky games I snored through I never saw him play with THAT much energy. I also didn't see that energy in the following SL games. If he can maintain this much enthusiasm he'll be very good. However, that was my knock on him pre-draft; he doesn't play with enthusiasm. Very good handles, great at drawing contact, and good form on his shot. Easily the best game I've seen him play. (Although he's still a bit indifferent on D)
• However, Kevin looks absolutely AWFUL in the low post. He had a one on one post up against Trae Young and embarrassed himself. I saw him in the post again later and he proved he doesn't belong down there. They should save him further ridicule and never let him post up again.
• There's a strong chance Mitchell Robinson is going to make GMs regret on passing on him. He's nowhere near polished, but man the foundation is there. He has very good timing on his blocks. Seems like he carries a ton of passion which I always love to see.
• Trae Young is a modern day Nash, with twitch. The kid loves to pass. He's already a far better passer than Steph. He's going to live up to the billing that he'll be dynamic on Offense. He might even lead the league in assists this year. Now, if you can just surround him with 4 strong dudes who can play D, because he is going to get knocked around. He's a strong candidate for best player not playing due to injuries (KJ).

Thanks for the analysis. You are a worthy challenger, and I appreciate you taking the time to evaluate your opinion.

I agree with you on Robinson. Huge upside combined with a ton of red flags; a Fantastic value as an upside play for the Knicks.

I am going to hold off on my thoughts on Young. He has struggled mightily in every other game, but looked very promising during this game. I was very high on him going into the draft, but need to see more before I have a strong opinion now...

Knox definitely struggled in the post, but I am glad you saw on tape what I saw in person; I didn't catch the second Knox game, but this one stood out so much to me in part because I wasn't a big fan of him at Kentucky. His performance completely defied my expectations. It will be interesting to see how he develops going forward.

 

[Mainstreet]

I can forgive an 18 year from not having a low post game. Knox should be good.

 

[BC867]

I honestly wouldn’t be able to tell the difference, they sound nearly the same to me.

Typically, a Boston dialect pronounces New York "New Yahk" whereas a New Yorker pronounces it "New Yawk".

And a Boston dialect pronounced Boston "Bahston" whereas a New Yorker pronounces it "Bawston".

A Boston dialect is Old English (and sometimes guttural -- the Kennedys spoke the non-guttural). A New York dialect is strictly guttural.

My reference is having lived in Joisey (ugh!) until forty years ago. "Ya unnastan' wat I'm trying' ta tell ya?"

No, I don't miss being surrounded by that dialect at all.

 

[Mainstreet]

How does Alec Peters do that.

Chipotle was one of the first places he went once the team arrived in Las Vegas. To accompany him on the adventure, Peters brought Mikal Bridges and Shaquille Harrison with him. Davon Reed, another big Chipotle guy, says Peters has a card which allows him to receive free and unlimited meals.

Peters has made clear his summer league agenda: visit Chipotle and play well during the games.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...peters-nba-summer-league-las-vegas/766472002/

 

[Superbone]

I suspect the difference in accents would stand out to someone from New York City and someone from Boston but for most of the rest of us, they are very similar. They both play games with the letter "r", including adding and subtracting the letter depending on what follows or precedes it (a practice that occurred in England too). The rest of the U.S. drifted the other way. For us, it's mostly see an "r", say an "r".

I guess I have a good ear. They are very different to my ear.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I guess I have a good ear. They are very different to my ear.

You certainly know because you lived there. But I grew up in Arizona and the difference is plain to me. A person almost has to be tone deaf not to hear the difference. Oh. Well. We can debate about almost anything on this board, can't we.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I guess I have a good ear. They are very different to my ear.

I notice a difference but not a huge one, at least when you're talking about Boston and New York City specifically. New York itself has so many different accents and the further you go away from the metro area the less like Boston it sounds IMO. But I have a lot more familiarity with Boston than I do with NYC so maybe that slants what I hear.

 

[Superbone]

You certainly know because you lived there. But I grew up in Arizona and the difference is plain to me. A person almost has to be tone deaf not to hear the difference. Oh. Well. We can debate about almost anything on this board, can't we.

Dude, I'm an Arizona native and have never lived there. I have visited for 2 weeks of my life. Besides, you are agreeing with me.

 

[sunsfan88]

Sunsfan88, personally, I could care less about the Knicks or the East. Just as i don't like LA, San Antonio, Cleveland, Houston or any of the other teams not named the Suns.

I’m a Suns fan but I’m also a basketball fan. I love watching the playoffs (which the Suns are usually not in) so I like for the games to be entertaining and the East in recent years have not been. I want that to change.

Or for the NBA to get rid of conferences when doing playoff seeding.

 

[sunsfan88]

I suspect the difference in accents would stand out to someone from New York City and someone from Boston but for most of the rest of us, they are very similar. They both play games with the letter "r", including adding and subtracting the letter depending on what follows or precedes it (a practice that occurred in England too). The rest of the U.S. drifted the other way. For us, it's mostly see an "r", say an "r".

Yeah I’ve heard of the r thing as well. I visited NY and Boston for a weekend each time almost 6 months apart and yeah it was similar to me.

You certainly know because you lived there. But I grew up in Arizona and the difference is plain to me. A person almost has to be tone deaf not to hear the difference. Oh. Well. We can debate about almost anything on this board, can't we.

So I guess me, Steve and others are tone deaf? JC stick to the homeristic posts instead of personal attacks please.

 

[Phrazbit]

Yeah I’ve heard of the r thing as well. I visited NY and Boston for a weekend each time almost 6 months apart and yeah it was similar to me.

So I guess me, Steve and others are tone deaf? JC stick to the homeristic posts instead of personal attacks please.

...makes a personal attack while telling others not to...

 

[JCSunsfan]

Dude, I'm an Arizona native and have never lived there. I have visited for 2 weeks of my life. Besides, you are agreeing with me.

Sorry. Got confused. Thought I was responding to BC's post. And I was agreeing with you.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Yeah I’ve heard of the r thing as well. I visited NY and Boston for a weekend each time almost 6 months apart and yeah it was similar to me.

So I guess me, Steve and others are tone deaf? JC stick to the homeristic posts instead of personal attacks please.

I thought of it more as a personal opinion than an attack, but thank you for showing me what a personal attack looks like, now I will know.